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Port Townsend Connecting Chord March 21-25, 2005
Connecting Chord 2005 Cops and Youth Offenders Unite March 21-25
THIS YEAR: Aboard the wooden sailing vessel Adventuress!HAUL AWAY - Poems
poetry by Port Townsend Police Officers and Youth
with crew from the sailing vessel Adventuress
CONNECTING CHORD, PORT TOWNSEND, IV
March 21-25, 2005
ABOARD THE WOODEN SAILING VESSEL ADVENTURESS
THE GALLEY
by Cryst’l Trujillo (teen)I am like a galley
where people think they can store
their problems. Maybe they
store so much
crap in me that I burn
like a stove, heating up food
when I’m only heating
the people around me.
One day I hope to be refreshed.
As cold seawater.
ANCHOR
by Errick Nordby (teen)I am like an anchor,
taking control when my life
is spinning out
of control and I correct
the problem. I don’t like
to be an anchor. I just am.
It’s like being a counselor.
I hate counselors. Always
asking stupid questions
that annoy the hell
out of you. And I don’t
like to be annoying.
I hope to be the mast, the leader.
POEM TO CEDAR
by Mark Carpenter (teen)If I could I’d go back in time.
Yes, I would.
To be able to interview you more
because me I know little of you.
All I did was jabber into the blue.
So if I could
I would go back in time.Thank you for the song
I hope it gets you something, someday.
If not, I’m pretty sure
that woodwork and carving could be the cure.
Thank you for listening to me
about how much I like video games
‘cause my parents usually tell me to shut up.Because of you I will know
of stuff to do
to keep myself out of trouble
like hike over a mountain
or carving would be fun
or cook over an open fire
under the bright yellow sun.
A POEM TO CHRIS BALDWIN
by Katherine Roy (Crew)If I could tell you that everything will get easier,
I would.
Because 17 is hard enough as it is.
I’ll bet we know the same cheerleaders
and jocks, and how long
six months or twenty-one hours can be.
We can hate algebra and offices together.Thank you for your honesty
and to be honest with you,
at 23 certain things still hurt.
But I can tell you that that I think
cyan yellow and magenta
on glossy paper and good hot
coffee in the 28th state are worth
all the noise. Because of you
I will tell my brother that maybe
it’s not worth it. Because of you
I can see how urine on a fence
in winter isn’t fair, and understand
the words, “But maybe we’re still
together.”I don’t know, too.
A POEM TO CHRISTINE
by Mike Lorecki (teen)If I could I would buy Christine
a house and take her to
the beach and tell her to
ride the horse, and that would
make her happy. Making other
people happy makes me happy.
I would love to see someone happy
all the time.Thank you for talking to me.
I like having someone to talk
to. It makes me happy to be able
to say anything about every
thing. And maybe we’ll
talk again.Because of you I will have a better
day just for the fact
that we could talk aboutstuff.
POEM TO SARAH
by Renata FriedmanIf I could find just a hint of your fire
in me, I would be fortunate. And awake.
We burn at different temperatures –
but your flames, stoked by the black rage
of rumor, of confinement of adult ineptitude
have burst from you fingertips into your eyes.Thank you for trusting yourself.
And waking from those sticky years
with a handful of gummy bears, cupped in your fist.
You want to be a firefighter.
And squelch the red and yellow crackling.
What was once prickling your bones, calling you to rage,
now raging and bludgeoning far flimsier fuel.Because of you, I will listen to that heat.
And know that those many many aching
years, those trials of seething frustration
will simmer down and burn down the less polished
pieces of myself.
Because if you’d actually grown up amidst
the wonder of the New Zealand that you desire,
you’d lack the adrenalin, the anticipation
the machinery. You most blessed
most cocky girl.
TO OFFICER SHERRY
by Chris Gaikowski (teen)If I could dive,
I would dive deeper
than you.
Sounds fun,
diving in thebig blue.
Must be fun to dive.Thank you for telling me
your awesome story.
I like your life,
mine is really boring.
You’re a grandma at 47
of two little boys.
Now that is crazy.Because of you I will do
something to change my life.
I probably go with my
brother to learn to blow
glass when we leave Proctor.
You’re got lots of cops in your family,
I hope your grandkids become them, too.
A POEM TO DEPUTY BARB
by Andrew Gaikowski (teen)If I could
go back to my Mom, I would
hear the barks of my mom’s Chihuahuas,.
their quiet high-pitched barks
to pet their small fuzzy, tan hides.
And you know I would.Thank you for
telling me about your four little dogs,
including forklift, your fuzzy white one
which is then five.
Thank you thank you thank you
for telling me about yourself, too
and sharing how an influencing how to change.
Thank you.Because of you I will
respect cops.
Because I’ve never gotten to actually meet one.
In their blue uniforms
with their screaming sirens
they aren’t so bad when you get to know them.
Because of you I will respect some cops
and look at them differently
because of you.
TO OFFICER MATT
by Errick Nordby (teen)If I could I would
go back in time and
not steal that black bike
nor get drunk and
try to steal chow mein
and have a red marijuana
steamroller.Thank you for returning
my red bicycle and being nice
and not taking
it to the impound for
evidence. And I appreciate
that once again.
Thanks, Matt.. Yaaaa…Because of you I will
try to stay out of trouble
with the law. And learn
how to deal
with things that
might get me in trouble
and finish my sandwich.
Mmmmmmmmmmm.
TO ERRICK
by Officer Matthew KrysinskiIf I could I would help you today.
It would be to assist you in a path
lined in green trees that map out
wrong or not the best routes.
There will always be rough, brown roads,
always be choppy, blue water
to help show you some easier ways
along this marked road.Thank you for allowing me a chance
to share with you my ideas of a road
often traveled. The sounds of engines revving
guide your way. You remind me of friends
I have lost somewhere between the pen
and the red dot on the map.
Where are they now?Because of you I will remember
to be aware of my children’s behavior
spend more time with them
asking questions, knowing when
to step in. Teaching and enforcing
respect for others. Good luck, Errick.,
in your adventure.
TO MARK
by Cedar (Crew)If I could put myself in your shoes
in the mirror I would see
free spirit, floating,
infinite possibilities on the table,
cunning to match,
fearlessness to push through,
humor to laugh.Thank you for sitting with me
under the yellow sun and blue sky
sharing. The moments of dive-bombing ducks
and crying seagulls
amidst the stories of our jumbled families
and games of strategy.Because of you I will stand
here and now, in these shoes
looking at you
a reflection
a fellow voyageur in these groaning seas.
The game is on.
And we’re playing.
POEM TO CHRISTOPHER GAIKOWSKI
by Officer Sherry EricksonIf I could…I’d grant your wishes.
Fly away to the magical kingdom of Disneyland.
I want you to shake the hand of Mickey Mouse
And wear those funny ears
Eat hotdogs and cotton candy
And run from ride to ride as if your life depended on it.Thank you for your true blue honesty.
I will remember that about you.
You invited me into your family
By sharing your stories,
Camping with your brothers,
Catching and eating oysters,
Sleeping under the dark sky.Because of you, I will try a little harder,
Remember my youth,
Appreciate my kids more,
Thank my parents,
And send out a little prayer for you
Asking that you will find the road that will lead you
To where the glass is blown.
TO RENATA
by Sarah McDonough (returnee assistant)If I could escape to New York as you have, follow my dreams,
with vibrant rambunction as you have, I would let my
sails carry me through the hard times with the
wind at my back and the sun on my face. As
each day is a new blue for my eyes to see. Yes.
Sometimes I may be green with envy, but you have helped
me see that I can be proud of myself.Thank you for your bubbliness that has no doubt
rubbed off on me, for listening, for asking, for helping.
Sometimes it’s hard to show appreciation and even to
say thank you. I appreciate your knowledge and
your perspectives on everything. I’m sure you know
how awesome of a woman you are and how
inspiring you appear to be….but if not, well, now I’m telling you!!Because of you, I will rise to more happy and positive
expressions and whisper new ideas that splash my mind
from time to time. This all may sound as cheesy as “this ain’t
my cup of tea” but you remind me of a big burst of sunshine
that touches everyone in a warm way…I’m honored to call you
a new friend and all that’s really left to say is thank you.
TO ANDREW
by Deputy BarbIf I could, I would open a window
to allow you to see a green future
full of laughter and trust,
blue skies and rollercoasters
to change the black shroud
you feel your name is hidden under.
And learn to proudly yell,
“GAIKOWSKI!”Thank you for reminding me
how special grandmas are.
I’m sorry you lost the one you love.
Just remember there’s still time
to claim your other one.
Take your pen and white paper
and compose a letter of who Andrew isBecause of you I will be reminded
of Andrew when I see red and orange
blown glass. And when I see Tiny Timone
I’ll giggle about the name “Scampi.”
Amazing we share some things.
I just hope someday to see your name
“ANREW GAIKOWSKI, ENTREPENEUR,
AND WORLD FAMOUS ARTIST.”
TO CRYST’L
by Dani Davis (Crew)Thank you for reminding me
how it is to be 16,
what it’s like,
to dream,
while you sit in school
daydreaming about singing
or moving to New York.
Because of you
I will always remember
what it’s like not to have a license.
To want to fly
but be forced to walk.
TO KATHERINE
by Chris Baldwin (teen)If I could be in your shoes for a day,
I could see life in a different view.
I could hear the music of the piano learning to be played.
I could learn to paint, to hear the swoosh of a brush,
I could see the bright sun of Cupertino, California.
I’d hear the church choir sing or sea a different country.
It would be like reading a story through the reading glasses on the table.So thank you for giving the time to share
and the time to listen to my point of view.
The things you told me are different that my life,
but we have things in common.
Even though we come from two different places.
And two different lives. But that gives me a new perspective.
So thank you for sharing you don’t have to take risks
to have fun or be heard.Because of you I will have something to compare my life to.
A good insight of someone with goals and morals.
What you can get from hard work and dedication
that new experiences and learning is fun and important.
Like learning to sail or paint or other art.
Because of you I can see that doing what’s right gets you
somewhere. TO have goals like being a teacher, to experience
something new, makes me realize there is more to come.
And if things get hard, maybe I should pretend I’m in your shoes.
TO DANI
by Cryst’l (teen)If I could live in the Greeeeaaaat West Virginia
I would raise a group of 25 kids.
Of course I’d be blue
I don’t wear eight and a half sized shoe.
You splash through me in the water
the fun we have swimming
the dogs running around the pool.
Thank you for everything.
We get out and drive around in your old Toyota pickup truck.
We have no make-up. It’s washed off.
The fake red color of your hair has rinsed out.
Oh, no! Look out. You hit a horse.
It flipped over. A person comes to give you a ticket.
You say sorry and he gives you a glass of white milk.
Because of you I will fly in the yellow sky.
You will bounce on top of buildings
saving the lives of living things.
You saved a boy, he’s 23. Now you are in love.
How sweet and kind
splat goes the bug when you[[]
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Mike Lorecki (teen)I didn’t know
there was a squirrel on a cow hissing at the
cow and the cow was splashing
in the water wailing, tapping his
foot on the water and then
the squirrel bit the cow and he
wanted nuts and fell over
and died.
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Katherine Roy (Crew)I didn’t know that staring back
at kitchen instruments could leave me
scared. Or that the tapping on my shoulder
equals two. The room is full of people looking
into rivers. And all the this time
I didn’t know.
WHEN I FIND MYSELF
by Errick Nordby (teen)When I find myself on the bow not knowing
port from starboard as the ocean
spray hits my face
I decide I am hungry so
I started to head towards the galley. At
the stern of the ship I saw a man
one of the crew upon the
shrouds and he was playing
with a compass trying to navigate.
Ass I continued on the deck
going to the yellow galley the wheel
was not tied down so I took over…
and the mainsail was picking up wind.
It was the coolest feeling ever…
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Chris Baldwin (teen)I didn’t know where I would be at 17.
I didn’t know what I would be doing, that I would be staring at the Judge,
that I would get in arguments to get out of trouble,
that I would be wishing I could go back in time,
that I would be making the decisions that I’ve made.
Sometimes I wish I could be a squirrel or a cow and live in peace.But to live in peace I have to think.
Think of what I want to do right.
I have to work in that direction.
I have to take the problems and bad things
and throw them overboard, splash.
I didn’t know being a teenager would be like swimming
in whitewater rapids.
I LIED
by Deputy Barbara GarrettI lied when I said I always wanted to be a cop.
Like most kids, I thought they were jerks.
It was my right to do as I pleased.
I burned my bra,
showing I was a strong female.
To hell with you all, I know best.I told the truth when I said I care.
Funny how time changes your mind.
I don’t think I know it all.
And always stand amazed at so many other people.
Not for money and show.
But for their love of life and ability to share.
I LIED
by Calm Cedar (Crew)I lied when I said
“I cut the corner.”
“Then what’s the truth?”
“I was just walking.
”Oh, really, then why didn’t I see him?”
I told the truth when I said
“I’m sorry for my dishonesty.”
“That’s all I was looking for.”
“You were quite intimidating.”
“There’s your ID.”
“Good night.”
CHANGE
by Anarchist Andrew (teen)Change is like rust.
You do want it,
To change life as the same grass grows.
You don’t want it to stay the same.
Change is like something to do.
Mow the grass.
Change is like snowboarding on ice cream.
I LIED
by Serious Sherry (Officer)I lied when I said I jumped.
My fear took over.
I feel behind and hid.
I sat there very quiet
with just the sound of my own heart
beating in my ears.I told the truth when I said I jumped.
My fearlessness took over.
I fell in behind and hid behind a cloud.
I floated there very quietly
with just the sound of my own heart
beating in my ears.
I LIED
by Confused Cryst’l (teen)I lied when I said
I was happy to be here.
I kinda was but now there’s a hippie
aboard and she’s very annoying.
All the crew threw her over the deck
She was ate by a shark.
I told the truth when
I wanted to swim with sharks.
I was happy with the fear swimming around me.
RUBY
by Mischievous Matt (Officer)Ruby the red seagull knows
everyone is hiding from her.
Violet knows what Ruby knows
and our class knows that Violet knows
that Ruby knows.
Last time she knew
the class knew. Violet knows
the hiding space
so Ruby eventually will know
where they are.
I LIED
by Capable Chris (teen)I lied when I said
Moma for the first time
because it isn’t truthful.
My Mom made me say it.
She put it in my head.
I would have rather said DadI told the truth when I said
I want to move in with my papa.
My Moma ditched me for a stoner.
The stoner was my step dad
who tried to kill me.
I wish she would have thought different.
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Mad Mark (teen)I didn’t know until it was too late.
I pretty much threw the milk cow
in the meat grinder.
Yup. That really couldn’t get any worse.
Noooooo. Now I’ve been expelled.
Me and my parents have started an argument.
The squirrels are running for cover
and my cats are hissing at each other.
I TOLD THE TRUTH
by Crazy ChristineI told the truth when I said I knew little
about sailing. Hauling the lines today
with Chryst’l, Chris, and Barb, I stomped
on Barb’s feet and she said, “Don’t
step back or you’re dead meat!” Haul and stay
put, that’s the trick. Like facing
the music, feeling the heft of what I’ve brought
on, but never turning around. Not dumping
the weight on someone else’s shoes.
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Jumbo Jim (Probation Officer)I didn’t know I could change my perception.
I thought my future was an act of destiny.
I’d tap my foot and stare into space.
But when it came to argument, I enter it like a race.
Like squirrels gathering nuts for winter survival.
I’d do anything to protect my image.
Like wearing a life vest while riding whitewater.
I DIDN’T KNOW
by Sophisticated SarahI didn’t know what staring through my rapid
whitewatery tears would accomplish. I’m scared
of the arguments I’ll have and the rude people who hiss
hurtful things…Sometimes I feel
so helpless and still want to lose the loser that
Hasn’t quite lost me. I don’t want to have a cow
about stupid shit anymore. I didn’t know how
to change.I didn’t know that I could change for the better,
dive right in and make a splash or a ripple in someone else’s
eye. I didn’t realize that tapping
into a more psychological aspect of life would help me
be the “meat grinder of my success.” Now I can smile my Irish
sassy smile, watch the sunset and squirrels run up the trees.
I didn’t know it could feel this good.
I LIED
by Delightful Dani (Crew)I lied when I said I liked your new shoes.
Really, I thought they were big and clunky.
I heard you coming down the hall thump thump
thumping.
But your smile was so big
and I could see how they made you feel.So I told the truth when I said
your new shoes make you more beautiful.
I saw your head swell and your heart start pump pump pumping.
I LIED
by Rambunctious RenataI lied when I said I said something.
It was just a vision
blasted to the front of my brain.
When does a wish melt into a lie?
If truth turned on his haunches and laughed,
I would still hold fast
and keep my footing
even on the rocky deck.
And the lie under my feet could vanish
any time and I wouldn’t notice.
I AM LIKE A SAIL
by Bodacious Barb (Officer)I am like a sail.
When at first I was set free
I flailed around all white and pure.
With time I felt the control of
someone or something pullingme their way. At times protesting and whipping back.
My color is not so clean
with each appearance showing,
more wear and tear.But I have learned to tolerate
the controls
and know I am the reason
the ship moves forward.
I AM LIKE A ROPE
by Serious Sherry (Officer)I am like a rope
made up of many fibers.
Delicate, alone, but strong together.
I can be twisted but never
broken. I can be pulled, but will
never let go. I hope that I can always
stay as useful as a rope.
BEFRIEND
by Delightful Dani (Crew)Be afraid of sharp
Edges and
Frowns on straight faces.
Remember to
Involve yourself in
Everything that is good, but say
No when you should and
Don’t be afraid to ask for seconds.
SO HIGH
by Capable Chris (teen)
I am like a shroud.
I stand tall and am so high.
It would take lots
of weight to tear me down.
And if I did fall,
I would be put back
where I belong –
by my crew, my friends.
I hope to be as strong
as I think I am.
CHANGE
by Nowhere Natalie (videographer)Change is like rust,
a fairytale revolver
shooting a love story.
The target a girl
from a childhood cornfield.I remember the crows
filling the back of my truck.
Loud engines and pizza,
a murder of wings
lost in the sky
forgetting the body they came from.
TIDAL WAVE
by Anarchist Andrew (teen)I am like a tidal wave.
I can finally have a chance
to move from one place to another,
like crime to good.
All I needed was a strong enough quake –
like being on probation
and getting caught for the bad things
I did which taught me a lesson.
I hope to be as strong as a tsunami
THE PURSUIT
by Mischievous Matt (Officer)I am like a ship’s helm underway.
Taking directions by an order.
But equally as important I control
my heading…Without all the working lines,
through the bitter end. I am not
able to complete an adventure alone.
Weathered by storms, the helm shows
where. Taken care of by many
I hope to be as true as North.
CHANGE
by Mysterious Mike (teen)Change is like a long relationship
with someone is good to you.
Say you had a girlfriend, she would do
almost anything you asked. And she loved you
as much. As you loved her.
Change is like someone
that you were close to and they
died and you felt so bad.
CHANGE
by Excited Errick (teen)Life. What a fairy tale.
All we do is live and die.
With no meaning to us.
Change is like rust.
We just can’t do it.
We try with no success.
Why must we be tortured
like this? We’re like puppets
or toys to God. Well, fuck you.
But I will beat this concept.
I will survive this hell.Change is heaven and hell.
It’s the decision you make
for yourself. It’s key to life
to survive or die. Which
do you choose?
CHANGE
by Sophisticated Sarahattention. And sometimes needs to be left alone.
It’s like a ray of light that glistens for a moment
then disappears. Then changes its direction
only to wander the heavens forever
like Ronan, the masterless samurai
I AM LIKE A LINE
by Cool Chris (teen)I am like a line.
Some people want to pull me.
Some people want to tie me up.
I have an important role in life,
just like the line for the boat.
I can be relied on when you need help.
All my strength is woven inside of me.
Sometimes I need extra help to pull me in line.
Sometimes I coil up and take a rest.
Now I am young and coiled up. But soon
I am about to be an adult and unravel.
But as an adult I hope to be as strong
and reliable as a line.
WHEN I SAID
by Mad Mark (teen)I lied when I said I hate you.
I lied when I said I don’t care.
‘Cause the truth is I don’t hate you.
And I really do care.
BURNED
by Confused Cryst’l (teen)It’s like getting smacked
with a burning hand,
my face catches fire.
I scream as my flesh burns,
peels and melts away.
I see the horizon of smoke
sprinting through the air.
It made me sick.
The smell of flesh.
I started to choke.
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tel: 360-385-9005
